The BGN News Archive

Last Sunday night was the debut of Rock and Roll Trivia Night
by Rocker Magazine. It was much like what it was modeled after,
which was the Joanie Lindstrom run WMBR/Late
Risers Club Trivia Night.

Brett and Erin doing Trivia at Zuzu's
Photo: Blowfish

No one knew how many people would show, but as it turned out it filled
ZuZus! Erin Amar and Brett Milano ran the night and asked the
questions. The questions were wide ranging and of various difficulties.
In the end it was challenging and fun for all and a big success for
Rocker Magazine. There will be more of these great nights in
the future and we'll keep you updated. You can come in a group or alone
and therell always be a team to sit with.

Thursday at the Middle East Down seemed a little rockabilly from
what I could gather of the unfamiliar groups. I saw all of Tijuana
Panthers, from Long Beach, CA. I was unimpressed for a few songs
then they played a song called Creatures of the Night that was like
a theme song to a cheesy 1960s horror film that clicked and then a breezy
cover of Everybodys Happy Nowadays by the Buzzcocks (playing Tuesday
at Royale) and that got me to move up and listen closely. It seemed
to me the set got better as they warmed up a bit.

Tijuana Panthers
Photo: Blowfish

As it turns out the Buzzcocks was the only reference to any music
after 1963 for the rest of the set. They have this vibe of pre-Beatles
pop with some surf tones thrown in. In that vein they had a song extoling
crew cuts. For the first half of the set the guitarist sang the songs
for the second half the bass player sang.
As that second half of the set moved on the good songs kept coming.
The bass player sings a little more soulfully and that fits those 60s
style songs. The bass player had an amp that was about 18 inches square
and miked and he made it work.

Tijuana Panthers
Photo: Blowfish

A heckler asked the bass player if he got drunk in Tijuana and got
a panther tatted on his ass. The bass player replied that no he got
a tattoo in Boston and it says Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace.
Does he know that Wallace lived a mile away near Inman Square, or that
some of the book takes place in Brighton a few towns away? Cool either
way. At the end I felt like I got a generous set of nicely crafted songs
in a period garage pop style. I would go to see them next time they
swing around.

Tigar Army
Photo: Blowfish

The club got full and you could feel the excitement for Tiger Armys
set. When they came on stage the crowd roared and were fist pumping
the choruses with the band for the rest of the show. Some moshing broke
out here and there with a few stage dives.

They play psychobilly and they have it down. The band had tight tees
and tattoos. The songs were on the simple side but they were also melodic
with hooks. Their playing was all pumped up with excitement and the
standup bass gave it that rockabilly undercurrent. Nick 13 on guitar
was the center of attention.
I wasnt swept away but there was no denying that they were giving
a good show. It was a lesson for me. Here was a band I had faintly heard
about that could fill the Middle East down with dedicated fans. There
are a lot of groups like that, its a big scene out there

Middle East - old TT's area
Photo: Blowfish

Leaving the club I passed the new construction for Sonias, the
new club that will replace TT the Bears. I could see in and got the
photo above. Looks like the bar is on the left but moved back and there
is a raised staged at the opposite side of the room from where it used
to be and look at that block glass. See that pole in the front corner
of the stage? That will be in a lot of my future photos. Still needs
a lot of work.

It was back to the Middle East but Up on Friday for another psych
bill put on by Illegally Blind. Beach Toys play pop/psych. Their twist is that they are an organ
led trio. The organist sometimes plays guitar but its the organ
stuff that is the most interesting. Its was a low key affair,
they were not going to kill you with volume. That made it a very comfortable
set.

Beach Toys
Photo: Blowfish

Justin Lally on drums we met at our Wayne
Viens interview. Justin worked with Wayne at the Store
54. Hes a raw drummer. He attacked the drums like a boxer. There
was a lot of physical effort, he would even raise himself off the seat
to give a wallop. It worked in the context of the sound.

The organ player seemed like a very basic player at the beginning
but as the set went on he was showing some chops and the last song I
Cant Find Ithad a cool chromatic calipee run. They
got a good reception with a crowd that just filled the main area of
the club.
Their Bandcamp
postings are very psychedelic but none have the organ sound
that characterized the set I heard. I
Can't Find It is the song that has the calipee effect at
the end of it.

Doug Tuttle
Photo: Blowfish

I first saw Doug Tuttle at Hasselfestand then
at TTs (RIP) both times he had a five man group.
As I saw him set up in trio format I was a bit wary. I like the elaborate
sunshine pop sound he got with the other players. Not to worry, Doug
took up the slack. It turns out hes very adroit on guitar, much
more than I could discern when he had a five piece.

In this whole local psychedelic redux going on Doug Tuttle
stands out. Hes obviously studied and assimilated the genre. On
top of that his songs are superior and his performances live up to his
detailed recordings.

This night the rhythm section was with him every minute as his guitar
and voice took everyone for a magic carpet ride. He always sings like
hes floating in air in a dream. That creates the atmosphere for
the set. On guitar he played a lot of long meandering lines on a single
string. Sometimes they aped a sitar and sometimes they had a Baroque
feel.

Doug Tuttle
Photo: Blowfish

He used his pedal board for tonal variety which he also got by playing
some pinched harmonics. One trick he had was to play the harmonic and
then pull the string at the headstock of the guitar to rapidly raise
on lower the pitch.
At the end of the set, which seemed very short to me but was probably
a half hour, they did a five minute jam with lots of feedback. It was
a great set. Doug is the man to catch if you like your psych music.

Not a lot of people at OBriens on Saturday but it
was a four rockin' bands in a row. I missed the openers Dirty Rotten
Revenge from Bloomington, IL who sounded like something I wanted
to hear on Bandcamp.

Weaklings
Photo: Blowfish

I got to hear Weaklings, who I saw last Saturday at Club Bohemia.
I also saw two of the guys from the band at the Tiger Army show on Thursday.
It was a week of Weaklings for me. The band was more revved up
at this OBriens show. There was more action on stage and
a sharper attack on the instruments. The set was nonstop punchy pop
punk. That made me feel good because a set like that makes me feel it was worth hitting clubland.
I have the feeling these guys never have a bad set.

On the Cinder
Photo: Blowfish

On The Cinder were from Buffalo, NY. They took up where the
Weaklings left off. At the beginning it was punk but as the set went
along it got increasingly more hardcore. They have an impressive two
vocal attack that tops a big group sound. The songs had a few twists
to them, enough that it made me want to see them again to catch what
they were doing. They've played OBriens twice before so
they could come back. Bandcamp

The Digs
Photo: Blowfish

Weve seen The Digs twice before. In the meantime they did
a Rumble but havent had a lot of shows since then. I was expecting
them to be a bit rusty but that was not the case. In fact they were
tighter than ever.

They have a lot of influences along with punk that show up in the
songwriting. But this set was more punk than what they did before. Much
more power chord chunking rather than full chord strumming. The vocals
are where they still distinguish themselves. The melodies are much more
elaborate than those usually thrown on top of a punk progression. When
youve seen people do the same thing the same way like we have,
you appreciate the artistic jump some group like this does.

Videos
from O'Brien's on Saturday

Weaklings

On The Cinder

The Digs

Im not sure exactly where those vocal/melody line choices come
from but I do know its exciting and opens up the chance for expanding
the punk boundaries. The group was hitting some very powerful grooves.
They would sing a line and then dig in deep for a few bars then surface
for a vocal and then down into the riff groove again. It was a way to
have a vocal you could hear and then a power beat to catch you. Thats
just one of the ways this group works a song. Theres a lot to
hear with Digs.

That made three bands in a row that were worth going out for. I like
these OBriens bills with some out of town bands.

The Somerville Planning Board is reviewing plans to develop 337 Somerville
Avenue into a locally-owned commercial complex incorporating a public
market, non-profit offices, restaurant and expanded Sally OBriens
bar. It's great that Sally O's will expand we'd love to have more room
there!

WMFOs On The Town with Mikey Dee show It's Weds
9PM--midnight. Here are some upcoming shows:...9/28 Violet Nox live....10/5 M 8 live

There are a million punk songs, this is just one.

I'm a Poseur, I'm a Cliche, I'm a Wimp.
You want a fast idea for a punk song then use the "I'm a ____"
template.
Now, is there anything more primarily punk than the 'I'm A Loser'
concept? Anything more common than snarling it out like John Lydon?
The Bristles do all that and it becomes something
so typically punk that it's almost a caricature. I'm saying it
doesn't become that here because they do it with the conviction
and energy as if no one ever did it before.
There are three verses where I can't decipher even a single word.
Then the "I'm a Loser" chorus. Then there is a drum section that
seems to signal the end of the song but no, it's another chorus
of "I'm a Loser"
The sentiment and the performance are punk in a nutshell.
This is from the LP Last Years Youth from 1995
on Beer City Records. The group was from New Jersey.

September 26 (Monday) It's Brian
Young Appreciation Night at Charlie's Kitchen!! Meet up at 7:30
for a meal if you so desire or just have a coupla drinks and hang if
you want ! We will be saying "thanks" to DJ Brian Young
from WMFO who is one of Boston's biggest supporters of the local music
scene. Brian has local bands on regularly playing live and/or interviews
them on the air every Saturday afternoon from 1-4 PM on 91.5 FM Boston.
wmfo.org stream. After the gathering we will retire to the upstairs
for some headbanging young punk bands Coffin Birth,Upheaval
and Cosmic Bong Destroyer

September 27 (Tuesday)Buzzcocks
at the Royale ...they played this very room back in 1980! And we
were there then too!

September 28 (Wednesday)Wednesday
13 (fr. Murderdolls) "And Bloodshed For All" Tour with
One-Eyed Doll, Open Your Eyes, Deprived, and The Evil Streaks
on 09/28/16! This is an EARLY show 6pm-Midnight

September 29 (Thursday)Barrence
Whitfield & The Savages and Diablogato are at ONCE Ballroom

September 29 (Thursday) through October 1
(Sunday) The "Rat" Beach Party in Hull. Check
it out on Facebook for bands and times etc

September 30 (Friday)The Barbazons
are putting a stop to the band for an indefinite period..to celebrate
they are having a final show. Also on the bill Ravi Shavi (gotta
see these guys!!) along with Earthquake Party and Bong Wish
its at the Middle East Upstairs FB
page

October 1 (Saturday) Endation (first
show in a long time!!) The Daily Pravda, M.G. Lederman, The I Want
You at The Midway

October 1 (Saturday) A the Gulu
Gulu in Salem - Come and see Rick Wormwood & the Rumbling Proletariat,
with very special guest, Greg Allen, of Greg Allen's Fringe
Religion, who will perform a rare acoustic set!

October 2 (Sunday) The Vibrators,
Nervous Eaters, Neutral Nation and The Beantown Boozehounds
at Firehouse 13 in Providence RI

And further out......

October 3 (Monday) Bob Colby Presents:
Mr Airplane Man and The Land of Enchantment at ONCE Lounge
- He will present occasional shows at this venue now...These shows are
taking place as part of ONCE's "Taco Monday" series, which
means two things: 1) You can have some great food beforehand (starting
at 5). 2) The shows have *no cover*, but donations to performers are
encouraged (no set amount, whatever you can do). Look for the big silver
bucket, every dollar that goes in there goes to the artists!

October 7 (Friday) a special event
down in Provi....at Darren Hill's store POP,
a Book Party for photographer Bobby Grossman's new bookLow
Fidelity - The Photographs of Bobby Grossman 1975-1983. The book
is a trip to the New York Underground through the lens of Bobby Grossman
during the exciting time of the emerging Punk/New Wave/No Wave scene.
BUT performing for this party is David Johansen!! The book will
be on sale. also a Doom & Destiny Collaboration with Shepard Fairey....FB
page!!and Pop
page for tix etc

October 7 (Friday)State Of
The Union, Watts, Pop Gun, and The Knock Ups are at Koto
in Salem

October 7 (Friday) Quiggs, Diablo Gato
and Tom Baker & The Snakes are at Opus in Salem

October 28 (Friday) The Vooduo,
(from CA), The Crimson Ghosts, The Skeleton Beats & The
Outsiders are at Koto in Salem

October 28 (Friday) The Prozacs, BarRoom
Heroes, Injury, The Pink Parts and Whoopi Sticks - 4-8PM
Matinee Show at The Midway

October 29 (Saturday) Cheech 20th
Anniversary Show also on the bill Taxi Driver, Reason to Fight, Words
of Truth, & Barfight Champs at The Midway

October 29 (Saturday) Growing
Up Spooky - Music and movies from the 60s-00's at The Plow and Stars.
The Dazies as The Exploding Hearts, Dirty Bangs as Nirvana,
Glass House as The Jesus and Mary Chain and Bruvs as The
Beatles

November 3 (Thursday)The Proletariat
are at Once: "After a 33 year hiatus, legendary Boston punk
rock band The Proletariat has decided to reunite for a few select shows
. Original members Richard Brown, Peter Bevilacqua and Tom McKnight
will be joined by guitarist Dan Sanders(from the Providence band Idle
Rich) and will reunite for a series of shows in Fall 16. The reunion
comes on the heels of the vinyl rerelease of the bands groundbreaking
debut Soma Holiday on SS Records." Tickets!!
(FB
page)

November 3 (Thursday)Wolfman And The
Brimstone Boys, The Evil Streaks, The Devil's Twins and Damnation
are at Opus Underground in Salem

November 4 (Friday)The Upper
Crust, Topheavy, Gene Dante & The Future Starlets and The
Hi-End at The Midway

November 4 (Friday)The Proletariat
are at The Met in Pawtucket RI (FB
page)

November 9 (Wednesday) Illegally
Blind and League Podcast Present: Shonen Knife, Shepherdess,
and Birthing Hips at the Middle East Up

November 12 (Saturday)Punk
Rock Flea Market at Koto in Salem 1-5PM "Come down and buy
some records, some band and sports tees, some homemade crafts and jewelry"
There's be punk rock music after 8PM. FB
page

November 12 (Saturday) Presented
by State Line Records. This is the music after the Flea MArket- The
northshore's best punk bands will be playing their second show of the
year together. Local favorites The Tenafly Vipers and Quiggs bring down
the house. Boston visitors Duck & Cover and The Warning Shots warm
you up for the local favorites. Let's have a good time. all at Koto.

December 3 (Saturday)Muck &
The Mires will be on A Crash Course for the Ravers with Brian
Young on WMFO 91.5 1-4PM

December 3 (Saturday)Studio
Two ,The Beatles Tribute w/ Muck and the Mires
at The Middle East Up.

December 10 (Saturday)Thrash'n'Bang
Christmas Party at the Midway

December 10 (Saturday)Nicole
Tamaro Productions Christmas Party with The Silver Mirrors, Legendary
Rockin Prophets and + free snacks & swag all at the Greek in
Union Sq Somerville.

April 22 (Saturday) The Templars
(NYC), Battle Ruins (Boston), Shipwrecked (Norway),
Fit for Abuse (Boston), Boston Strangler (Boston) at the
Middle East Down And it's ALREADY sold out in September 2016!

December 10 (Saturday)Psychic
TV are at The Brighton Music Hall FB
page